Study Abroad

IFSA Mérida Universities

  • Location: Mérida, Mexico , Mexico
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0
  • Language of Instruction: Spanish
  • Class Eligibility: Juniors

Introduction

IFSA Virtual Information Sessions

Mérida is the capital and largest city of Yucatán. With both colonial and Mayan influences, the city is considered a cosmopolitan center of culture in southern Mexico.  The Mayan ruins and architecture contrast with the colonial houses to reveal the city’s long history. The atmosphere of the city is very relaxed and student-friendly and has been described as a “quiet paradise.” Despite its name, this “quiet paradise” is still known for its (free) lively evening concerts and thriving nightlife. In this program, you will enroll in courses at the IFSA center, the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán and/or the Universidad Modelo.

  • Visa:

    Required.

    Non-U.S. Citizens may have to meet additional requirements to study abroad in Mexico depending on their country of citizenship. Non-US citizens should consult with IFSA and the Office of International Student Support before applying to the program.

     

  • Fees: Students pay Haverford directly to Haverford. Haverford will then be responsible for submitting tuition payment to IFSA. Students pay all room and board costs directly to IFSA.
Requirements

Students must have completed 4 semesters of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent).  It is strongly encouraged that students be enrolled in a Spanish course the semester before they are planning to study abroad. Students are expected to have the ability to participate in a Spanish language classroom.

Direct Enrollment

IFSA offers the following 3 courses at the IFSA center that are specially designed for study abroad students: Advanced Spanish and Culture, Exploring Yucatan: Community and Culture, Contemporary Issues in Public Health in the Yucatan, and Directed Research.

Students will directly enroll at two universities IFSA has a partnership with (students can choose to enroll in only one university). This allows students the opportunity to study alongside local students and experience two types of Mexican higher education institutions.

Universidad Modelo
The Universidad Modelo is a private university that provides students with the opportunity to take courses in a variety of different areas of study. The university is small and has a single campus with excellent academic facilities.

Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY)
In contrast with Universidad Modelo, UADY is a larger school with multiple campuses. It is one of the top universities in Mexico, and has especially well renowned for its programs in archaeology and anthropology. This is largely due to the proximity of some of Mexico’s most fascinating archaeological sites. Social sciences, humanities, education, and business are also offered at this university.     

Academic Credit

Students are required to take 15-16 credit hours each semester. Transfer credit will only be granted for courses in which students receive a grade of a C (2.0) or above.

Curriculum

Courses will be instructed in Spanish. Applicants should be able to understand lectures, take notes, and write in Spanish.

Course Highlights

Accounting, Anthropology, Archaeology, Architecture, Business, Economics, Engineering, Health Sciences, History, Humanities, Latin American Literature, Law, Marketing, Medicine, Psychology, Public Health, Research, Spanish, Studio Art, Visual Arts

Note: Changes occur frequently. Students are responsible for finding the classes they need and consulting the official site of the institution.

Review the Full Academic Requirements for Studying Abroad

Orientation

The orientation is provided by IFSA and includes an introduction to Mexican culture, a discussion of academic differences and expectations, and sessions on academics, living in Mexico, integrating into the host university, living with a host family, and more.

Number of Students

The Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán has about 30,000 students and the Universidad Modelo has about 1,500.

Housing/Meal Plans

Homestay only. Students are placed with a host family. Only one student is placed with each host family to maximize cultural and language immersion. Conversations students have with their Mexican families will present them with an excellent opportunity to learn about the culture.  The program includes three meals per day.

Notes

IFSA Virtual Information Sessions

Additional Resources

View Scholarship Information

Apply to Study Abroad!

  • PDF
  • Program List

Options

  • Semester
  • Direct Enrollment

Dates

  • Semester I: Early August to Early December
  • Semester II: Early January to late May

Application Deadlines

  • Semester I: March 15
  • Semester II: October 1

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